Display device

ABSTRACT

A display device is provided constituted of a pair of members disposed with upstanding sections thereof in normal contiguous relation. These sections are adapted for spreading apart to permit ready insertion of a display between the sections which act as protective covers for the display.

United States Patent [191 Dewsnap June 28, 1974 DISPLAY DEVICE 3,086,6584/1963 Palmer 40ll52.l x Inventor: l ap, e York, NY 3,422,556 1/1969Lyons et al. 40/142 A X [731 Assignee: g g fl f? CmPany, Inc-i PrimaryExaminer-Robert w. Michell ew or Assistant Examiner-Wenceslao J.Contreras [22] Filed: Apr. 6, 1972 A display device is providedconstituted of a pair of (SI members disposed with upstanding Sectionsthereof in [58] Fieid 152 152 1 normal contiguous relation. Thesesections are adapted for spreading apart to permit ready insertion 56]References Cited of a display between the sections which act asprotective covers for the display. UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,807,3699/1957 10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures Stark 40/l52.l

DISPLAY DEVICE The present invention relates to a multiple use displaydevice. As will be seen from the description to follow the displaydevice of the invention may be used, for example, for displayingadvertising material, portraits, scenic representations, promotionalrenditions and the like.

Promotional exhibits for advertising purposes are customarily displayedwithin ready view and reach of the observer. Generally the display issupported within a longitudinal recess provided in the top surface of asupporting base having a width and length sufficient to sustain thedisplay in erected position. With such support the display exhibit isexposed to handling and may be readily removed by individuals seekingsouveniers. Because of its exposure it may also be marred by scribblingand other form of graffito.

The present invention is broadly directed to a display device which maybe readily assembled and which, when assembled, will enclose the displayto avoid marring or undesired removal thereof.

With the foregoing in mind, I provide in accordance with the invention adisplay device comprising a pair of members each constituted of anupstanding section and a base portion offset from said upstandingsection, and longitudinally spaced apart means integral with theupstanding section of. each member, said spaced apart meansinterconnecting said pair of members with the upstanding sections innormal contiguous and aligned relation and with said base portionsoffset in opposite directions in relation to the upstanding sections, atleast one of said upstanding sections being light transmitting, saidcontiguous and aligned sections being adapted,

upon simultaneous application of a downward manual force upon each ofthe offset sections, for separation a distance sufficient to permitinsertion of a display between said members.

Advantageously, the longitudinally spaced apart means are formed in theupstanding section of each member adjacent the base portion and comprisea projection and a slot in substantial longitudinal alignment.

reversely related to the other member and the projec-' tion on one ofthe members fitted in the slot of the other member and the projection ofthe other member fitted in the slot of said one of said members.

Advantageously, both upstanding sections may be constituted of clearplastic material in which event two displays may be used, one forviewing on one side of the display device through one of clear plasticsections, and

the other for viewing on theopposite side of the display device throughthe other clear plastic section. While the base portion need not be madeof clear transparent material and for that matter can be of a materialother than that consituting the upstanding sections of the displaydevice, it is desirable that the base be formed of the same material forease of fabrication.

The members, constituting in their assembled relation the display deviceof the invention, may have any desired shape and may be produced byinjection molding techniques well known to those skilled in the art.

With the display device assembled as indicated, in order to insert adisplay between the two contiguous and aligned upstanding sections ofeach member, it is only necessary to simultaneously exert downwardlyapplied finger pressure on the base portions of each member whereby tospread apart each section a distance sufficient to permit entry of thedisplay between the upstanding sections of the display device. Once thedisplay is so inserted and aligned as desired between the spread apartcontiguous sections, the finger pressure on the base portion is removedwhereupon each section moves toward the other to fix the displaytherebetween. 7

It is a feature of the invention that when the assembled members arepositioned on a supporting surface in a supporting upright position forthe display device, the combined weight of the display and theupstanding sections acting on the-base portions will produce, by virtueof the resistance to displacement offered by the supporting surface, aneffective counter force which acts on the base portions to urge theupstanding sections of each member into, tighter than normal, engagementwith the display.

Objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the display device of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device with the upstanding sectionsthereof spread apart for insertion of a display;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section through lines 3-3 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the member which, when assembled inpairs, constitute the display device of the invention;

. ,FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view partly in section to show the manner inwhich the individual members of the display device are assembled; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention.

In FIG. 4, I have illustrated in perspective view the basic member usedfor forming the assembly of FIG. 1. As will be seen from FIG. 4, thebasic member 1 is constituted of an upstanding section 2 and a baseportion 3 offset from the upstanding section and preferably inclinedwith respect thereto at an obtuse angle, as more clearly shown in FIG.1.

The upstanding section 2 is formed with longitudinally spaced apartinterconnecting means preferably comprising a projection 4 and a slot 5which respectively cooperate with a like slot and projection of aseparate identical member for interconnecting the two members into anassembled construction. The assembled display device is shown in FIG. 1.

More specifically, two identical members 1 may be used each having anupstanding section 2, base portion 3, projection 4 and slot 5. Forassembling the two members, one member is merely reversely related tothe other so that the projection 4 on one of the members is received inthe slot 5 of the other member and the ,slot in the one member receivesthe projection 4 of the other member. The slot 5 in each member is sizedto snugly receive the projection of the other member. Also, theprojection 4 and slot 5 should be symmetrically disposed and uniformlyspaced with respect to the central vertical axis 6 (see FIG. 1) in suchmanner that when one of the members is reversely related to the other,the projection 4 on each member will fit into the slot 5 of the othermember.

As seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 a complementary acting interlock is providedbetween the upstanding sections 2, 2 of the pair ofmembers and resultsfrom the projections on the separate upstanding sections entering theslots in the adjacent sections from opposite directions.

This interlock has been found to resist ready separation of the members.In fact, a positive separating force is required to separate the membersso joined.

it will also be noted that the longitudinal walls defining each slot actas bearing surfaces about which the projections may be pivoted uponapplication of downwardly or upwardly directed forces upon base portions3, 3. As seen in FIG. 2, upon application of a downward force on basemembers 3, 3, the projections are pivoted about the slot bearingsurfaces in a direction to cause angular separation of the upstandingsections 2, 2 a sufficient distance to permit insertion of a display 7between the separated sections. Preferably each member is made ofplastic material which although substantially rigid has sufficientresilience so that when downwardly imparted finger pressure on the baseportion is terminated the-upstanding sections will automatically returnfrom their positions in FIG. 2 to their positions in FIG. 1.

When an upwardly directed force is applied to base portions 3, 3, theupstanding sections 2, 2, by virtue of the direction of pivotal movementof the projections 4 about their bearing surfaces pursuant to suchupward force, will be urged into tighter than normal engagement.Advantageously, such tighter than normal engagement will occur when thedisplay device is supported on a supporting surface. I

The embodiment of FIG. 6 is similar to the embodiment just describedexcepting that the upstanding sections 2', 2' are curved and the baseportions 3', 3 are offset in one direction on one member and in anopposite direction on the other member to provide a support for thedisplay device. The shape of the projections and the slots will be seento conform to the shape of the upstanding sections.

While the base portions have been shown as extending along the entirelongitudinal extent of the upstanding sections, it will be apparent thatthis is not necessary. Obviously, only such length need be used as toprovide a firm support. Also, the base portions, where of minimallength, should be provided in the region between the slot and theprojection to permit ready movement of the upstanding sections intotheir positions shown in FIG. 2.

What is claimed is:

l. A display device comprising a pair of substantially identical memberseach constituted of an upstanding section and a base portion offset inone direction from said upstanding section, and being inclined withrespect thereto at an obtuse angle, and longitudinally spaced apartmeans integrally formed adjacent the base portion of the upstandingsection of each member and comprising a projection and a slot inlongitudinal align- 4. ment, said spaced apart means interconnectingsaid pair of members with the upstanding sections in normal contiguousand aligned relation and with said base portions offset in oppositedirections in relation to the up standing sections, at least one of saidupstanding sections being light transmitting, said contiguous andaligned sections being adapted, upon simultaneous application of adownward manual force upon each of the offset sections, for separation adistance sufficient to permit insertion of a display between saidmembers.

. 2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said projection in eachupstanding section is on a side thereof opposite the side from whichsaid base portion extends.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein one of the members isassembled in reverserelation to the other member with the projection onone of the members in the slot of the other and with the projection ofthe other member in the slot of said one of said members.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein both upstanding sectionscomprise clear plastic material.

5. A device according to claim 3, wherein both members are transparent.

6. A device according to claim 1', wherein said offset base portionssupport the device and in their supportive position, by virtue ofupwardly directed forces acting thereon, urging said upstanding sectionstoward one another.

7. A display device comprising a pair of members each constituted'of anupstanding section and a base portion offset from said upstandingsection, and complementary acting meansintegr al with the upstandingsection of each member, said complementary acting means comprisingcombined camming and sole connecting means for, on the one hand,interconnecting said pair of members with the upstanding sections innormal-contiguous and aligned relation and with said base portionsoffset in opposite directions in relation to the upstanding sectionsand, on the other hand, for enabling separation of said contiguous andaligned sections, upon simultaneous application of a downward manualforce upon each of the offset sections, a distance sufficient to permitinsertion of a display between said members, at least one of saidupstanding sections being light transmitting.

8. A device according to claim 7 wherein each said upstanding section iscurved and said base portion on one section is offset in one directionand the base portion on the other section is offset in an oppositedirection to said one direction.

- 9. A display device comprising a pair of members each constituted ofan upstanding section and a base portion offset from said upstandingsection, and longitudinally spaced apart means integral with theupstanding section of each member, said spaced apart meansinterconnecting said pair of members with the upstanding sections innormal contiguous and aligned relation and with said base portionsoffset in opposite directions in relation to the upstanding sections, atleast one of said upstanding sections being light transmitting, saidcontiguous and aligned sections being adapted, upon simultaneousapplication of a downward manual force upon each of the offset sections,for separation a distance sufficient to permit insertion of a displaybetween said members, said longitudinally spaced apart means on eachupstanding section being formed adjacent the base portion and comprisinga projection and a slot in tion of each member, said complementaryacting.

means comprising combined camming and sole connecting means for, on theone hand, interconnecting said pair of members with the upstandingsections in normal contiguous and aligned relation and with said baseportions offset in opposite directions in relation to the upstandingsections, and on the other hand, for enabling separation of saidcontiguous and aligned sections, upon simultaneous application of adownward manual force upon the free edges of each of the base portions,a distance sufficient to permit insertion of a 10 display between saidmembers.

1. A display device comprising a pair of substantially identical memberseach constituted of an upstanding section and a base portion offset inone direction from said upstanding section, and being inclined withrespect thereto at an obtuse angle, and longitudinally spaced apartmeans integrally formed adjacent the base portion of the upstandingsection of each member and comprising a projection and a slot inlongitudinal alignment, said spaced apart means interconnecting saidpair of members with the upstanding sections in normal contiguous andaligned relation and with said base portions offset in oppositedirections in relation to the upstanding sections, at least one of saidupstanding sections being light transmitting, said contiguous andaligned sections being adapted, upon simultaneous application of adownward manual force upon each of the offset sections, for separation adistance sufficient to permit insertion of a display between saidmembers.
 2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said projection ineach upstanding section is on a side thereof opposite the side fromwhich said base portion extends.
 3. A device according to claim 1,wherein one of the members is assembled in reverse relation to the othermember with the projection on one of the members in the slot of theother and with the projection of the other member in the slot of saidone of said members.
 4. A device according to claim 3, wherein bothupstanding sections comprise clear plastic material.
 5. A deviceaccording to claim 3, wherein both members are transparent.
 6. A deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein said offset base portions support thedeVice and in their supportive position, by virtue of upwardly directedforces acting thereon, urging said upstanding sections toward oneanother.
 7. A display device comprising a pair of members eachconstituted of an upstanding section and a base portion offset from saidupstanding section, and complementary acting means integral with theupstanding section of each member, said complementary acting meanscomprising combined camming and sole connecting means for, on the onehand, interconnecting said pair of members with the upstanding sectionsin normal contiguous and aligned relation and with said base portionsoffset in opposite directions in relation to the upstanding sectionsand, on the other hand, for enabling separation of said contiguous andaligned sections, upon simultaneous application of a downward manualforce upon each of the offset sections, a distance sufficient to permitinsertion of a display between said members, at least one of saidupstanding sections being light transmitting.
 8. A device according toclaim 7 wherein each said upstanding section is curved and said baseportion on one section is offset in one direction and the base portionon the other section is offset in an opposite direction to said onedirection.
 9. A display device comprising a pair of members eachconstituted of an upstanding section and a base portion offset from saidupstanding section, and longitudinally spaced apart means integral withthe upstanding section of each member, said spaced apart meansinterconnecting said pair of members with the upstanding sections innormal contiguous and aligned relation and with said base portionsoffset in opposite directions in relation to the upstanding sections, atleast one of said upstanding sections being light transmitting, saidcontiguous and aligned sections being adapted, upon simultaneousapplication of a downward manual force upon each of the offset sections,for separation a distance sufficient to permit insertion of a displaybetween said members, said longitudinally spaced apart means on eachupstanding section being formed adjacent the base portion and comprisinga projection and a slot in longitudinal alignment, said projection ineach upstanding section being on a side thereof opposite the side fromwhich said base portion extends.
 10. A display device comprising a pairof members each constituted of an upstanding section and a base portionextending at an obtuse angle from said upstanding section andterminating in a free edge, and complementary acting means integral withthe upstanding section of each member, said complementary acting meanscomprising combined camming and sole connecting means for, on the onehand, interconnecting said pair of members with the upstanding sectionsin normal contiguous and aligned relation and with said base portionsoffset in opposite directions in relation to the upstanding sections,and on the other hand, for enabling separation of said contiguous andaligned sections, upon simultaneous application of a downward manualforce upon the free edges of each of the base portions, a distancesufficient to permit insertion of a display between said members.